Reading and Phonics

Phonics is taught using the DFE 'Letters and Sounds'. Children are taught to recognise the sounds and to 'push' them together ('sound blend' them) into words for reading.

Children are taught one way of representing the 44 main sounds of English first, then go on to learn the alternative spellings later on.

When teaching the letter sounds, it is important to remember to keep them very 'pure' and distinct, to help with sound-blending later on.

Watch the Phoneme Pronunciation Guide DVD at the bottom of this page to hear the correct way to say each sound.

'Letters and Sounds' is split into Phases 1-7.

Phase 1

Phase 1 falls largely within the Communication, Language and Literacy area of learning in the EYFS. It teaches young children important basic elements such as oral segmenting and blending through speaking and listening games and activities.